State Division of Budget (DOB) Director Robert Megna issued his agency’s budget “call letter” this week, directing state agency heads to again submit “zero growth” spending requests in order to hold the 2014-15 state budget to a 2% increase. Agency spending requests are due by Oct. 15.

The 2014-15 state fiscal year begins on April 1, 2014. The current state includes $136.9 billion in overall state spending, a 1.8% increase from the previous year. The most recent projection is that the state is facing a $2 billion deficit for next year’s budget.

We are pleased that the Cuomo Administration is continuing its efforts to limit the growth of state spending. It is critical part of improving the state’s economy.